Photos: 100 year old Beirut Hippodrome vies for past glory

Jun 30, 2017 13:48 IST

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Beirut’s racecourse which hosted monarchs and movie stars in its heyday and survived Lebanon’s civil war, is struggling to secure its future after years of decline. The Hippodrome completed a 100 years in 2016 but faces tough challenges ahead owing to ageing clientele, private developers and lost revenue due to illegal gambling. In an attempt to revive its past glories, the organisers now seek younger crowds and investment from city authorities. (Jamal Saidi/REUTERS)

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A horse stands in front a bullet-riddled wall at Beirut Hippodrome, Lebanon. The Hippodrome was for years on the front line between Lebanon’s warring factions in the 1970-1995 civil war. (Jamal Saidi/REUTERS)

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In this undated photo, people attend Flower Day at Beirut Hippodrome before the Lebanese civil war. Back then the original elegant grandstand was filled with spectators and 15 horses ran each race instead of the now five. (Jamal Saidi/REUTERS)

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Jockeys compete during a horse race in 1992 at the Hippodrome in Beirut , Lebanon. (Jamal Saidi/REUTERS)

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Racegoers queue at a betting stall at the Beirut stadium. Officials have proposed using a rare patch of green in Beirut’s centre as a park on days when there are no races. (Jamal Saidi/REUTERS)

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Jockey Mohammad Hassan poses for a photograph at the 100 year old Beirut Hippodrome. (Jamal Saidi/REUTERS)

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According to the Director General, Presidents of republics and foreign officials were frequent visitors including the Shah of Iran, Saudi King Abdulziz and the King of Greece. (Jamal Saidi/REUTERS)

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A man grooms a horse at the Beirut stadium. (Jamal Saidi/REUTERS)

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Beirut's Hippodrome completed a 100 years in 2016 but faces tough challenges ahead owing to its ageing clientele, private developers and lost revenue due to illegal gambling.